Danny Lipford » Doors and Windows

How to Spring Clean the Outside of Your Home

Danny Lipford — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:24:36 +0000

Cleaning and repairing the outside of your home doesn’t have to be a spring project, though it is nice to get outside and enjoy the warm weather after a long, cold winter spent inside. Here are some often neglected outdoor maintenance projects you might want to consider tackling.

Clean Exterior

A pressure washer can make quick work of cleaning the outside of your home, but be careful since the extremely high pressure can damage wood and other softer materials.

While scrubbing is not necessary with a pressure washer, adding detergent to the reservoir on the machine serves to loosen stubborn dirt and get the job done faster. Be sure to use a cleaner that is made for pressure washers and intended for the type of surface you’re cleaning. Cleaners are available for specific applications such as siding, decks, and masonry surfaces.

If mold or mildew is present, spray it with a product such as SporiCLEAN or Concrobium. A mixture of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water can also be effective on mold on nonporous surfaces. Wear protective clothing and rubber gloves when working with bleach or other harmful chemicals, and cover or wet down any plants or grass with water before applying. Allow the bleach mixture to remain on for 10 – 15 minutes, then wash it off with a hose or pressure washer.

Repair Driveway

Driveways and sidewalks need periodic maintenance, too.

Start by removing any grass or weeds that are encroaching on the driveway or growing in cracks.
Follow this by a thorough cleaning with a pressure washer to remove dirt and grime.
Next, patch any cracks or holes in concrete surfaces with a concrete resurfacer.
Worn asphalt drives can be restored by applying a coat of latex asphalt sealer to make them look good as new.

Clean Deck

Wood decks take a lot of abuse from the elements, and they need a good cleaning from time to time to look their best.

Start by applying a specially formulated deck cleaner in a pump up sprayer.
Once it has had time to work, clean the deck with a pressure washer—being careful not to damage the wood—or a long handled scrub brush.
Rinse the deck, and allow it to dry.
If refinishing is needed, apply a sealer or stain with a pump up sprayer, going over it with a brush to smooth it out.
Allow the sealer to dry thoroughly before using the deck.

Clean and Repair Screens

Window screens can be cleaned by soaking them in a child’s wading pool filled with soapy water, followed by a gentle scrubbing with a soft scrub brush on a flat surface. As a final step, rinse the screen with a garden hose using a fine spray setting to keep from damaging the screen.

To repair small holes in screens, flatten the fibers out and brush on several coats of clear fingernail polish for a seamless repair. Large tears or holes are best fixed by removing the rubber spline from the screen frame and installing a new piece of screen using a screen spline roller tool.

Repair Roof

Spring is also a good time to examine your roof to see if winter snow and ice have caused any problems that need attention.

Look for torn or missing shingles that might need replacement or repair.
Pay particular attention to flashing around chimneys, plumbing vents, and other openings that are prone to leaks. Seal any gaps with roofing cement.
Cover exposed nail heads with a dab roofing cement.
Remove leaves, sticks, or other debris that has built up in valleys and against chimneys, porches, or dormers.

Ready the Grill

Whether its charcoal or gas, spring is a good time to get the grill ready for action.

Use a wire brush and degreasing detergent to clean the wire racks and inside of the grill and remove any rust that has formed over the winter.
Inspect burners on gas grills for deterioration from rust, and clean the surface. Make sure the holes in the burners aren’t clogged. If necessary, use a small piece of wire to clean them out.
If the outside of the grill needs painting, prepare it first by lightly sanding the surface and washing it thoroughly to remove all grease. Once it’s totally dry, coat it with a high heat spray paint (often called barbecue and stove enamel).

Clean and Repair Gutters

Gutters are an often overlooked project that needs special attention in the spring. To clean and repair them:

Make a homemade gutter scoop by cutting down a narrow plastic container such as an antifreeze jug, and use it to remove the bulk of the debris.
Rinse out gutters without leaving the ground, by making a U-shaped gutter spray wand from ½” or ¾” PVC pipe and couplings. Glue a cap to one end of the pipe with several small holes drilled in it, then use two 90° elbow fittings to create the proper shape, with a threaded adaptor on the other end attached to a garden hose.
Downspouts have a tendency to clog, so check them by running water through them, and use a plumber’s snake to unclog if needed.
Check for leaks at gutter joints. When dry, repair gutter leaks from inside the gutter with gutter sealant.

Clean Windows

Spring pollen and dirt can work a number on your windows, so take the time to wash them down and clean them once the pollen has settled.

Work in the shade to keep the cleaner from drying out too quickly.
A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water makes a great natural window cleaner.
Use crumpled up newspaper, rather than paper towels, to clean and dry your windows.

Watch Danny’s CBS Early Show segment on:
Save as You Prep Your Home for Spring

Velux No Leak Skylight for Your Home

Danny Lipford — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:00:08 +0000

Velux has developed a No Leak Skylight which offers three layers of protection that comes with a 10-year installation warranty and a 20-year guarantee on the glass. Watch this video to find out more.

ODL Tubular Skylight for Your Home

Door Saver II Bumperless Door Stop

Danny Lipford — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:00:41 +0000

Door Saver II from Perfect Products is a bumperless door stop that replaces the hinge pin in your door. Installation is easy, and the rotating cam allows you to fine tune how wide the door will open. Watch this video to find out more.

Advantages of Acrylic over Glass Window Blocks

Danny Lipford — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:00:42 +0000

Acrylic window blocks, like those from US Block Windows, resemble traditional glass blocks with the advantages of being:

Lighter in weight
Provide better insulation
Increased impact resistance

Advantages of Fiberglass over Wood Doors

Danny Lipford — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:00:56 +0000

It takes only a few years of exposure to the sun, rain, and other elements to degrade the finish on an exterior wood entry door. Fiberglass doors, such as those made by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, have an attractive, natural look—compete with simulated wood grain—but hold up much better to harsh conditions than real wood.

Fiberglass doors have a wood core to give a solid feel as well as better insulation value. The wood used in JELD-WEN doors is treated with treated with the preservative AuraLast which protects it from decay and termites.

(711) Faux or No

Danny Lipford — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:07:53 +0000

From roofing and siding to windows and doors, more and more of the products used in your home are not what they appear, and that may be a good thing. We examine a number of products made from synthetic materials that often perform better and cost less than the natural materials they replace.

Faux slate roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes looks like the real thing.

Roofing

Realistic looking faux slate and cedar shake roofing materials from DaVinci Roofscapes are made from a specially engineered polymer that is impact and wind resistant, has a Class A fire rating, and comes with a 50-year limited warranty.

In our tests, DaVinci roofing held up to blows from a baseball bat at below freezing temperatures, as well as heat from a torch.

JELD-WEN Fiberglass entry door.

Vinyl Siding and Fencing

Vinyl siding, such as the Exterior Portfolio line from Crane, and vinyl fencing by ActiveYards are durable building materials for your home that require little maintenance and keep their appearance for years to come.

Entry Doors

While wood entry doors look great when new, exposure to the elements can degrade the finish in just a few years.

Fiberglass doors, like those from JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, look like the real thing while holding up much better than natural wood.

A wood core in the door provides a solid feel and increased insulation. The core wood is treated with the preservative AuraLast to protect it from moisture, rot, and termites.

Urethane porch balusters manufactured by Fypon.

Spindles and Moldings

Balusters on porch railings are also subject to abuse from the weather. Spindles made from high-density urethane, such as those from Fypon, can be cut, sanded, and finished like wood while resisting decay, peeling, and termites.

Urethane and PVC products from Fypon are also available in a wide selection of ceiling medallions and moldings, including easy to install crown molding that employ premade corner blocks to eliminate the need for mitering.

Window Blocks

Glass blocks have been popular for years to let in natural light while ensuring privacy. Acrylic blocks, such as those from US Block Windows, provide advantages over traditional glass blocks, including:

Lightweight: Acrylic blocks are 70% lighter than glass blocks, requiring less support than glass.
Insulation: Acrylic blocks provide better insulation than glass, resulting in reduced heat loss.
Breakage: Acrylic blocks are more impact resistant than glass blocks.

Formica 180fx simulated granite plastic laminate is hard to tell from natural stone.

Plastic Laminate Countertops

Plastic laminate countertops come in a wide range of patterns and colors that resemble other surfaces at a much lower cost. Recent advances, such as Formica 180fx, have taken the process to the next level, making an exceptionally realistic faux stone product that it difficult to tell from the real thing.

Marbleizing

Faux finishing techniques have been used for hundreds of years to give bland, painted surfaces the look of natural wood or stone.

Using a sponging technique, Carol Vonesh and Debra Liles apply multiple colors and layers of paint and glaze to give a plain painted column the look of “fantasy” marble.

Fantasy marble differs from traditional marbleizing in that it doesn’t reproduce the veins found in natural marble.

Graining

Using special tools and techniques, decorative painter David Walton grained this painted mantel to match the pine cabinet in the background.

Other Tips from This Episode

Simple Solutions with Joe Truini:
Homemade Spray Paint Shield

To prevent overspray when spraying primer on metal flashing under a roof, cut a cardboard box into strips, then slip the pieces between the flashing and roofing to act as a shield. Cardboard shields work well for other spray painting applications as well. While you can buy metal paint shields, cardboard can be cut to any size and is free. Watch This Video

Best New Products with Jodi Marks:
Belkin Conserve Surge Protector

The Belkin Conserve eight-plug surge protector not only protects electronic devices from power surges, but it comes with a remote control to allow you to easily turn off the power to TVs and other electronic devices when not in use. Two of the eight plugs remain on at all times to power devices with timers, such as DVRs. The Belkin Conserve is available at The Home Depot. Watch This Video

Thinking Green:
Avoid Greenwashing

When purchasing products that are billed as energy efficient or eco-friendly, it’s a good idea to research both the product and the company that makes it to be sure they’re really green. Websites such as Rate It Green and The Green Guide provide information and reviews on a wide range of products. Watch This Video

How to Stop a Door from Rattling

Joe Truini — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:00:19 +0000

To stop a door from rattling when it’s closed, remove the strike plate and bend the metal tab forward slightly using pliers so the latch fits securely in the strike plate. Screw the strike plate back in place, check the door, and readjust if needed.

How to Fix a Sticky Door Lock

Joe Truini — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:55:32 +0000

To fix a door lock that doesn’t turn easily, squirt a little powdered graphite (available in squeeze tubes at home improvement and automotive stores) in the keyhole of the lock. Insert the key in the lock and turn it several times to distribute the graphite. In a pinch you can rub lead from a soft pencil (which is composed of graphite) on the key, then work it back and forth in the lock. Be sure the lead in the pencil is made from true graphite.

How to Reduce Air Conditioning Energy Costs for Your Home

Danny Lipford — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:00:55 +0000

To reduce the air conditioning bills in your home:

Install a tinted film on the inside of your windows to reduce the amount of heat coming in your house by over 60% and prevent harmful UV rays from damaging fabrics and furnishings.
Add awnings to sunny windows to reduce the temperature of a room by up to 15 degrees and save 25% on the air conditioning for that room.
Plant shade trees that shed their leaves in winter on the sunny (south and west) sides of your house.

How to Replace Screen Wire on a Screen Door

Joe Truini — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:00:35 +0000

The hardest part of replacing screening is to make sure it’s tight and wrinkle free. Here’s an easy way to accomplish this:

Remove the screen mold from around the door and take off the old screen wire.
Put two 8’ long 2×4s on sawhorses with 2” thick pieces of wood across them at each end.
Place the screen door on top of the supports.
Clamp the door to the 2×4s in the middle, causing it to bow.
Attach the screen to the bottom of the door with staples.
Pull the screen tight, and staple it at the top of the door.
Remove the clamps so the door springs back straight, pulling the screen taught.
Finish by attaching the screen to one of the long sides of the door
Staple the screen to the other long side, pulling it tight to work out any wrinkles as you go.
Nail the screen mold back in place around the door.